Radiographic features

Regarding the disease detection, as the early RA manifestations are non-osseous in nature, ultrasound and MRI have shown to be superior to radiographs and CT. Plain radiography, however, remains the mainstay of imaging in the diagnosis and follow-up of RA 2.

Plain radiograph

One large cohort study showed that radiographically demonstrable erosions were present in 30% of patients at diagnosis, and in 70% three years later 4.

4. Dixey J, Solymossy C, Young A et-al. Is it possible to predict radiological damage in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? A report on the occurrence, progression, and prognostic factors of radiological erosions over the first 3 years in 866 patients from the Early RA Study (ERAS). J Rheumatol Suppl. 2004;69 : 48-54. J Rheumatol Suppl (link) - Pubmed citation